On Immigration, Bush and Obama Are No Different

In one extreme corner, we have the immigrant haters, with their never-ending list of excuses for denying some form of amnesty to foreigners living in this country without proper documents. And in the other corner, just as extreme, we have the immigrant lovers, with their idealistic demands for amnesty without first finding a way to stop future illegal immigration.

A new immigration fight is beginning in Congress, and there is a good chance that it will end in a draw — again! And it's not only because the two extremes are so far apart but also because those who have a real chance of winning this time — the Democrats — don't really feel like fighting.

It's déjà vu all over again!

Remember when George W. Bush claimed that he supported comprehensive immigration reform yet failed to fight for it and nothing happened? I know it's really scary, but on the issue of immigration, President Barack Obama is behaving just like Bush.

Obama tells Hispanic groups just what they want to hear — that immigration is a priority — but just how far down on the list of his priorities is anybody's guess.

"I'm committed to passing comprehensive immigration reform as president of the United States," Obama told Latino leaders at a prayer breakfast in Washington last week. But he made no mention of his campaign promise to introduce that legislation during his first year in office. In fact, it has become obvious that the Obama administration is using delay tactics and every conceivable excuse to get out of that first-year promise.

After postponing two meetings to begin discussing immigration reform with congressional leaders, the White House reportedly is going to give it a third try sometime this week. But just who will be invited and just how forceful the president will be — that, again, is anybody's guess.

When the president and his top aides outline the administration's top priorities, immigration isn't mentioned, except, of course, when they are talking to Latinos. You wonder why they don't just come out and say: "We're sorry, but we have an economic crisis, two wars, health care out of control, rogue nations playing with nuclear weapons, energy and education problems, and other priorities that we consider more important.

Many people would be terribly disappointed, but many would understand. Instead, what we get is Obama doing a George Bush routine.

When he spoke at the Esperanza National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast and Conference last week, Obama did what Bush always did; he tried to please both the immigrant lovers and the immigrant haters.

"The American people believe in immigration, but they also believe that we can't tolerate a situation where people come to the United States in violation of the law," Obama said.

Just like Bush, when Obama said anything that could be considered pro-immigrants, he also said something that could be considered anti-immigrants.

He noted that we can't "tolerate employers who exploit undocumented workers in order to drive down wages," but then he noted that this is the reason "we're taking steps to strengthen border security" and that "we must build on those efforts."

While he argued that "we must also clarify the status of millions who are here illegally," he also noted that "for those who wish to become citizens, we should require them to pay a penalty and pay taxes, learn English (and) go to the back of the line, behind those who played by the rules."

Of course we need to reinforce the borders for the sake of our national security, and of course we should stop future illegal immigration. But what we need from Obama on this issue is the same kind of bold leadership he has shown on many of his other priorities.

We need to hear Obama come out and tell America that amnesty is not a four-letter word, that we need to tone down the hate speech that is caused by xenophobia, that our economy will improve when undocumented immigrants are allowed to work here legally, and that for the sake of our own national security, we also need to find a way to identify the people who are living here without proper documents.

Unfortunately, on immigration, Obama clearly is sending coded language to both extremes. When Bush did it, this column noted that it was not a sign of leadership — just political hypocrisy — and that it would not lead anywhere. When Obama does it, what else can we call it, and what else can we expect?

To find out more about Miguel Perez and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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